Only 20 prosecutions since start of smoking ban

LESS than 20 prosecutions have been made against premises for breaching the smoking ban since it was introduced almost a year ago, the Office of Tobacco Control (OTC) said yesterday.

There have been a number of repeat offenders and in the majority of cases the maximum fine of €3,000 was levied. The OTC figures revealed yesterday take into account prosecutions from March 29, 2004, when the ban was introduced, up until the end of last month.

And latest figures from the Revenue Commissioners show that estimated tobacco sales for 2004 were 15% less than in 2003, while excise receipts for tobacco products in 2004 were approximately €98 million less than the previous year.

Meanwhile, the new prison which will replace Mountjoy jail could have separate wings designated for smoking and non-smoking prisoners.

Prof Luke Clancy, chairman of Ash, said he believed the smoking ban would apply to prisons and psychiatric institutions.

A source within the Irish Prison Service said meetings had been held on the matter and that consideration had been given to the possibility of building smoking and non-smoking wings in the jail.

"There are building and resource issues. If you only have one recreation area you have a problem," the source said.

"Any new facilities would take into account a smoking wing and a non-smoking wing."

He said that prison inmates are usually allowed smoke only in their cells and recreation areas.

Spokesman for the Prison Service, Jim Mitchell, said the issue would be considered once architectural plans had been drawn up.

Prof Clancy, director general of the Research Institute for a Tobacco-free Society, said: "I expect that the ban will be implemented (in prisons).

"I think that psychiatric hospitals are evolving plans for it it's a matter of how to do it. I think it will take some time."

The Research Institute is also compiling data to mark the first anniversary of the introduction of the smoking ban on March 29.

Prof Clancy said tests were being run to measure the reduction in harmful chemicals in the air as a result of the smoking ban. He said research indicated the level of smoking at home had decreased as a result of the ban and said the number of cases of asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, angina and heart attacks were also being assessed.

Another study of 329 bar workers is investigating changes in respiratory health after the introduction of the smoking ban.